Kitchener Rangers

Kitchener Rangers
File:Kitchener Rangers.gif
City:	Kitchener, Ontario
League:	Ontario Hockey League
Conference:	Western
Division:	Midwest
Founded:	1963 (1963)–64
Home Arena:	Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex
Colours:	Blue, red, white
Head Coach:	Jay McKee
General Manager:	Murray Hiebert
Affiliate(s):	Kitchener Dutchmen, Georgetown Raiders
Parent club(s):	New York Rangers (1963–1967)
Franchise history
1947–60:	Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters
1960–63:	Guelph Royals
1963–present:	Kitchener Rangers

The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted the 2008 Memorial Cup tournament. They are also one of the most successful CHL teams in terms of NHL alumni with over 140 players including Mike Richards, Dale Hunter, David Clarkson, Steve Mason, Derek Roy, Steve Downie, 2011 Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner, 2012 Calder Trophy winner Gabriel Landeskog, and Hall of Famers Scott Stevens, Bill Barber, Paul Coffey, Larry Robinson and Al MacInnis.

File:63-64KitchRang.jpg

The original Rangers team from 1963-64

1964-65 program

History

The roots of the Kitchener Rangers are traced back to the 1947–48 hockey season when the franchise was formed as the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters. In 1960 the "Biltmores" as they were often called became the Guelph Royals. At the end of the 1962–63 season, a local business entrepreneur named Eugene George, was approached by the New York Rangers about moving the team to Kitchener in hopes of building a more stable junior environment. They would also replace the Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers who were an Eastern Professional Hockey League and Rangers' farm team that the Rangers had moved to the Baltimore Clippers of the American Hockey League

The team moved into the Kitchener Auditorium for the start of the 1963–64 season, which had previously been home to the Kitchener Greenshirts and the Kitchener Canucks. The Rangers were successful promoting the team in the community, drawing high attendance despite a poor first season. By 1968 the Rangers were a first place team that had reached the league finals twice.

Public ownership of the Rangers

When the National Hockey League collectively ended sponsorship of junior teams, the New York Rangers then offered the team to Eugene George for $1.00, a token receipt to assume the financial and overall responsibility of the team from then on. George, realizing the community importance of the Kitchener Rangers, instead turned the team over to the community; in essence, to its season ticket subscribers. The Rangers became a publicly owned team. George and fellow colleagues strategically set up a volunteer Directorship, which included key Executives, which still holds true today (among all eligible season ticket subscribers). The Rangers are backboned today by their unique strategy; a 40-person Board of Directors to which 9 Executive positions are elected as key duties including Finances, Policies, Charities, and a Hockey Committee among others.

1966 to 1968

The Rangers struggled their first three season in the OHA, but finished strong in 1966 despite a 7th place 16-23-9 record. The Rangers won the first two playoff rounds to make it to the OHA finals, but lost 4 games to 1, to the Oshawa Generals, featuring a young Bobby Orr. Kitchener finished in 1st place the next season, but fell to the Hamilton Red Wings in the playoffs. In 1968 the Rangers were first again in the OHA, and won their second consecutive Hamilton Spectator Trophy. Kitchener played in the finals again, losing a very close series 4 games to 3 with a tie, to the eventual Memorial Cup Champions Niagara Falls Flyers.

The 1970s

Kitchener struggled through the decade, posting only two winning seasons. In 1973–74, the Rangers finish 1st in the OHA due to the stellar goalkeeping of Don Edwards, with the league lowest goals against average. Kitchener however lost in the semi-finals in the playoffs. Dwight Foster set the Rangers franchise record for points in a highest during the high scoring late 1970s. Foster scored 60 goals and 83 assists totalling 143 points to be the scoring champion.

Memorial Cup 1981

The Rangers coached by Orval Tessier finished first place in a highly contested Emms division, despite winning only half its games. The team made a remarkable turnaround from its previous dismal season. The 1981 Rangers were led by 16 year old captain Brian Bellows, and also featured Al MacInnis, Mike Eagles and goalie Wendell Young.

Kitchener caught fire in the playoffs eliminating the Niagara Falls Flyers and the Windsor Spitfires in the Emms division playoffs, then eliminated the highly favoured Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the league finals, who finished 27 points ahead of Kitchener.

Tessier returned to the Memorial Cup for the fourth time, after playing for the 1953 Barrie Flyers, and coaching the 1972 Cornwall Royals and 1973 Quebec Remparts. Kitchener faced off against the Victoria Cougars and the defending champions, the Cornwall Royals in the Memorial Cup played in Windsor, Ontario and the Windsor Arena.

Kitchener lost the first two games 6-3 to Cornwall, and 7-4 to Victoria. The Rangers then posted consecutive victories, 6-4 over the Royals in which Bellows scored a hat trick, and 4-2 over the Cougars. In the finals versus Cornwall, the Rangers fell 5-2 to the Royals who would win their second consecutive Memorial Cup title. The 1981 playoffs were a breakthrough for Kitchener, who would be one of the best teams in the OHL during the 1980s.

Memorial Cup 1982

Joe Crozier took over the coaching duties after 1981, and Kitchener picked up on the winning note from the previous season. The Rangers won the Emms division again with a much improved record and many players returning, and also added future NHL players Scott Stevens and Mike Hough.

Kitchener earned a first round bye, then eliminated the Windsor Spitfires and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for the second year in a row in the Emms division playoffs. The Rangers then faced off against the Ottawa 67's coached by Brian Kilrea in the finals, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup 9 points to 1. Kitchener faced the Portland Winter Hawks and the Sherbrooke Castors in the Memorial Cup series played at the Robert Guertin Arena in Hull, Quebec.

Kitchener received a sobering 10-4 loss in game one at the hands of Sherbrooke. The Rangers played much better in game two, defeating Portland 9-2. Brian Bellows scored 11 seconds into the game, setting a Memorial Cup record. In their third game, the Rangers shut out the Castors 4-0, atoning for the previous lopsided loss in game one. The game was very physical, and included a bench-clearing brawl in the second period. Kitchener seemed to be a bit worn out the next night, losing 4-2 to Portland.

The Rangers and the Castors made it to the finals on a better goals for and against total, after all three teams won and lost two games each in the round-robin. The final game drew 4091 spectators who saw Bellows score a hat trick, leading the Rangers to a 7-4 victory, winning its first Memorial Cup.

1982–83 Rangers

Kitchener finished a strong second place in the Emms division after winning the Cup the year before. Kitchener fell in the third round of the playoffs, in the division finals to their rivals, S.S.Marie Greyhounds 8 points to 2. The strong showing of the Rangers over the last three seasons earned Kitchener the right to host the Memorial Cup in 1984.

Memorial Cup 1984

Tom Barrett took over coaching duties in 1983. Kitchener posted the best record in the OHL in 1983–84 with 106 points, proving without a doubt they were worthy being chosen to host the Memorial Cup tournament. The Rangers were led by John Tucker as the OHL's most outstanding player, Wayne Presley as the top scoring right winger, and Shawn Burr was the rookie of the year.

Kitchener earned its 3rd straight first round bye, before sweeping the London Knights in the second round. The Rangers avenged last season's loss versus Sault Ste. Marie winning the series 8 points to 6. Kitchener faced the Ottawa 67's in a rematch of the 1982 OHL finals. The Rangers were unable to pull out the victory, losing the series 8 points to 2. The Rangers and 67's would both play in the Memorial Cup, as well as the Kamloops Junior Oilers and the Laval Voisins featuring Mario Lemieux.

Kitchener defeated Laval 8-2 in game one, holding Lemieux scoreless. In game two, Kitchener had an 8-0 lead over Kamloops but narrowly held on to win the game 9-7. Ottawa had also won its first two games. The two teams met in the final game of the round robin, with Kitchener posting a 7-2 victory, to earn a beth in the finals. Ottawa won 7-2 in the semi-finals, then won 7-2 again in a rematch versus Kitchener in the finals.

The late 1980s

The loss marked the end of the Rangers four year run at success. Kitchener would rebuild for four seasons, before winning the Emms division regular season title in the 1988–89 season, in which Gus Morschauser was the OHL Goaltender of the Year. Kitchener was upset in the first round of the playoffs by the North Bay Centennials.

Memorial Cup 1990

The 1989–90 Rangers finished second overall in the Emms division, but used their experience to previal through the playoffs. Kitchener avenged the previous season's loss to North Bay, and earned the second round bye. The Rangers defeated the Niagara Falls Thunder team in the semi-finals, setting up a series against the Leyden division champion Oshawa Generals featuring Eric Lindros in the finals.

Both the Rangers and the Generals were assured a spot in the Memorial Cup as OHL finalists in 1990. The tournament was originally chosen to be hosted by the Dukes of Hamilton at Copps Coliseum before the season started, but when the Dukes finished last overall that season, the OHL chose to send both league finalists instead. The OHL championship series was a very close affair, but Kitchener lost in the seventh game to the Oshawa. Kitchener would face off against Oshawa in the 1990 Memorial Cup, and also rematch against their opponents in the 1984 tournament, both of who had new names, the Kamloops Junior Oilers were now the Kamloops Blazers, and the Laval Voisins were now the Laval Titan.

The 1990 Memorial Cup tournament opened up on May 5, 1990 with Kitchener facing the Kamloops Blazers. The rematch from six years ago was also a very high scoring game with a back-and-forth score in regualation, with Kitchener winning 8-7 in overtime. In their second game, the fourth game of the tournament, Kitchener beat Laval 5-3.

Similar to 1984, both Ontario-based team were undefeated after two games, and faced each other in the last game of the round-robin. The game was played in front of 11,134 fans, lasted 4 hours 15 minutes into double overtime, with Oshawa winning 5-4. Kitchener then played Laval in the semi-finals. It was a very close game throughout, with Kitchener pulling out a 5-4 victory.

The Rangers would play the Generals in the finals, with 17, 383 fans in attendance. Much like the first game between the two teams, the championship went into double overtime. Kitchener lost again to Oshawa, 4-3.

The 1990s

The remainder of the decade was lacklustre for Kitchener. The team managed three winning seasons with their best season coming in 1997. Kitchener reached the third round, but lost to a familiar foe in six games to Oshawa. 1997 was also the only season in the 90's where the Rangers won their division. This feat was accomplished on during the last game of the season, a 2-2 tie against the Guelph Storm, who could have overtaken the Rangers with a win. Rookie netminder Shawn Degagne, with the league's best goals against average for a freshman that season.

Rangers in the new millennium

The Rangers have had great success at the turnstiles, and being an OHL attendance leader. The team attracted a record 162,000 plus fans in 1999–00, an average of 4,750 per game. In 2001, Peter DeBoer came over from successful years with the Plymouth Whalers to be the coach and general manager of Kitchener.

Memorial Cup 2003

In 2002–03 the Rangers were first place overall in the OHL, being the only team with 100 points and winning the Hamilton Spectator Trophy. Kitchener was also one of the top-ranked teams in the country. The team featured six future NHL players, forwards Mike Richards, Petr Kanko, Gregory Campbell, David Clarkson, captain Derek Roy and defenceman Steve Eminger, who had been returned from the NHL's Washington Capitals mid-season.

The Rangers defeated S.S.Marie, Guelph and Plymouth in the western conference playoffs, then beat the Ottawa 67's in 5 games to win its third J. Ross Robertson cup, after waiting 21 years from its last. Derek Roy was named the MVP of the playoffs.

The 2003 Memorial Cup was hosted in the Quebec City at the Colisée de Québec. Kitchener faced off versus the host Quebec Remparts, QMJHL champions Hull Olympiques, and the Kelowna Rockets from the WHL.

Kitchener went through the round-robin undefeated, beating the Remparts 4-3 in game one, the Olympiques 4-1 in game two, and the Rockets 4-2 in game three. On Sunday, May 25, 2003, the Rangers won their second Memorial Cup title, defeating Hull 6-3.

Steve Bienkowski, the Rangers president & governor was the OHL Executive of the Year for the 2002-03 season.

Recent Times

Since 2003, the Rangers have been competitive every year. In May 2007 it was announced that the Rangers would host the 2008 Memorial Cup, giving the team an automatic entry into the tournament.

After finishing 1st in the league in the 2007–08 season, the Rangers went on to win the OHL Championship against the Belleville Bulls. Since the Rangers were also the host team, the Bulls competed as the OHL Champions, and the Rangers played as the host team.

Memorial Cup 2008

In 2007–08 the Rangers were first place overall in the OHL, being the only team with greater than 100 points and winning the Hamilton Spectator Trophy.

The Rangers defeated Plymouth, Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie in the western conference playoffs, then beat the Belleville Bulls in 7 games to win its fourth J. Ross Robertson cup.

The 2008 Memorial Cup was hosted in Kitchener at the Aud. Kitchener faced off against the OHL finalists Belleville Bulls, QMJHL champions Gatineau Olympiques, and the Spokane Chiefs from the WHL.

Kitchener went through the round-robin with a 1 and 2 record, defeating Gatineau 6-5 (OT), losing to Spokane 1-2, and losing to Belleville 3-4 (OT). In the semi-final, Kitchener defeated Belleville 9-0, earning a place to play Spokane for the Memorial Cup. Kitchener lost to Spokane, 4-1 in front of 6,807 fans.

Ben Fanelli incident

On October 30, 2009, defenceman Ben Fanelli received a check from Erie Otters forward Michael Liambas. As Liambas checked Fanelli into the boards behind the Rangers net, Fanelli's head hit a metal partition in the glass, breaking and knocking off his helmet. Fanelli lay unconscious while twitching and foaming at the mouth before being rushed to hospital in critical condition with skull and orbital bone fractures. Fanelli was released from Hamilton General Hospital a week later on November 6.

Liambas was suspended for the remainder of the season and the playoffs by OHL commissioner David Branch, who cited the speed and distance to which Liambas skated to deliver the check, as well as the severity of Fanelli's injuries. He commented that the suspension was responding to a "need to take strong steps to ... send out the message to all our players and minor hockey players that we have to be ... more respectful of our opponent." Fanelli returned to the Rangers nearly two years later, recovering from a brain injury to rejoin his old squad in September 2011.

In March, 2011, Fanelli began a charity which he called "Head Strong." It is based on Lance Armstrong's "Livestrong" campaign and raises awareness regarding brain injuries both in and outside of sport. As well, Head Strong looks to raise funds for the Brain Injury Association of Canada. Fanelli began selling T-shirts after the launch of Head Strong. He is also selling bracelets beginning on November 16, 2012.

In May, 2015, Fanelli had a tryout to become an OHL referee.

Championships

The Kitchener Rangers have appeared in the Memorial Cup tournament six times, winning twice. Kitchener has also won the J. Ross Robertson Cup four times, won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy seven times, and have won seven division titles.

Memorial Cup 1981 Lost to Cornwall Royals in final game 1982 Champions vs. Sherbrooke Castors 1984 Lost to Ottawa 67's in final game 1990 Lost to Oshawa Generals in final game 2003 Champions vs. Hull Olympiques 2008 Lost to Spokane Chiefs in final game J. Ross Robertson Cup 1966 Lost to Oshawa Generals 1968 Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 1981 Champions vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 1982 Champions vs. Ottawa 67's 1984 Lost to Ottawa 67's 1990 Lost to Oshawa Generals 2003 Champions vs. Ottawa 67's 2008 Champions vs. Belleville Bulls

Wayne Gretzky Trophy 2002–03 Champions vs. Plymouth Whalers 2007–08 Champions vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Hamilton Spectator Trophy 1966–67 64 points 1967–68 82 points 1973–74 95 points 1983–84 106 points 1988–89 88 points 2002–03 100 points 2007–08 110 points Division Trophies 1980–81 Emms Trophy, Emms Division 1981–82 Emms Trophy, Emms Division 1983–84 Emms Trophy, Emms Division 1988–89 Emms Trophy, Emms Division 1996–97 Emms Trophy, Central Division 2002–03 Holody Trophy, Midwest Division 2007–08 Holody Trophy, Midwest Division 2017–18 Holody Trophy, Midwest Division

Coaches

Two Kitchener Rangers coaches have won the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL Coach of the Year; Tom Barrett in 1983–84, and Joe McDonnell in 1988–89. Joe McDonnell was also voted the Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year in the 1988–89 season.

List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.

1967–69 Wally Kullman (2) 1969–70 Gerry Forler (2) 1970–71 G.Forler & R. Murphy 1971–72 Ron Murphy (2) 1972–74 Eddie Bush (3) 1974–75 E.Bush, D.McKee, J.Morrison 1975–77 Mac MacLean (3) 1977–78 M.MacLean & B.Ertel 1978–79 B.Ertel (3) 1979–80 B.Ertel & R.Seiling 1980–81 Orval Tessier

1981–83 Joe Crozier (2) 1983–86 Tom Barrett (4) 1986–87 T.Barrett & J.McDonnell 1987–94 Joe McDonnell (9) 1994–95 J.McDonnell & G.Ward 1995–98 Geoff Ward (4) 1998–99 Brian Hayton (2) 1999–00 B.Hayton & J.Snyder 2000–01 Jeff Snyder (2) 2001–08 Peter DeBoer (7) 2008–13 Steve Spott 2013–15 Troy Smith 2015–16 Mike Van Ryn 2016-Present Jay McKee

Players

Award winners

• 1967–68 Walt Tkaczuk - Red Tilson Trophy, (Most Outstanding Player)
• 1973–74 Don Edwards - Dave Pinkney Trophy, (Lowest team GAA)
• 1976–77 Dwight Foster - Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, (Scoring Champion)
• 1982–83 Al MacInnis - Max Kaminsky Trophy, (Most Outstanding Defenceman)
• 1983–84 John Tucker - Red Tilson Trophy, (Most Outstanding Player)
• 1983–84 Wayne Presley - Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy, (Top Scoring Right Winger)
• 1983–84 Shawn Burr - Emms Family Award, (Rookie of the Year)
• 1986–87 Ron Goodall - Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy, (Top Scoring Right Winger)
• 1988–89 Gus Morschauser - OHL Goaltender of the Year
• 1990–91 Mike Torchia - OHL Goaltender of the Year
• 1990–91 Joey St. Aubin - Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy, (Overage Player of the Year)
• 1992–93 Tim Spitzig - Bobby Smith Trophy, (Scholastic Player of the Year)
• 1995–96 Boyd Devereaux - Bobby Smith Trophy, (Scholastic Player of the Year)
• 1996–97 Shawn Degagne - F.W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy, (Best rookie GAA)
• 1999–00 Derek Roy - Emms Family Award, (Rookie of the Year)
• 2002–03 Derek Roy - Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, (Playoffs MVP)
• 2003–04 Andre Benoit - William Hanley Trophy, (Most Sportsmanlike Player)
• 2007–08 Nick Spaling - William Hanley Trophy, (Most Sportsmanlike Player)
• 2007–08 Justin Azevedo - Red Tilson Trophy, (Most Outstanding Player)
• 2010–11 Jason Akeson - Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, (Scoring Champion)
• 2010–11 Jason Akeson - Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy, (Top Scoring Right Winger)
• 2010–11 Jason Akeson - Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy, (Best Overage Player)
• 2010–11 Jason Akeson - William Hanley Trophy, (Most Sportsmanlike Player)

Honoured numbers

he Rangers do not retire numbers (except for #1 which is dedicated to the fans) but choose to honour numbers instead; hanging banners from the rafters while still having them in use for present players. Honoured numbers include:

• # 3 Scott Stevens
• # 4 Al MacInnis
• # 6 Paul Coffey
• # 7 Bill Barber
• # 19 Larry Robinson
• # 21 Jim McGeachie
• # 22 Gary Crosby

NHL alumni

The Rangers have 145 alumni who have played in the National Hockey League. Five alumni have been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame: Bill Barber, Paul Coffey, Al MacInnis, Larry Robinson and Scott Stevens.

• Russ Adam
• Chris Ahrens
• Jason Akeson
• Claire Alexander
• John Baby
• Justin Bailey
• Reid Bailey
• Peter Bakovic
• Terry Ball
• Bill Barber
• Brian Bellows
• Andre Benoit
• Mikkel Boedker
• Dennis Bonvie
• Robert Bortuzzo
• Rick Bourbonnais
• David Bruce
• Garrett Burnett
• Shawn Burr
• Jerry Byers
• Gregory Campbell
• Larry Carroll
• Tom Cassidy
• Rick Chartraw
• David Clarkson
• Paul Coffey
• Bob Cook
• Frank Corrado
• Lou Crawford
• Dave Cressman
• Ab DeMarco
• Boyd Devereaux
• Gilbert Dionne
• Jamie Doornbosch
• Rob Dopson
• Steve Downie
• Denis Dupere
• Mike Eagles
• Tim Ecclestone
• Don Edwards
• Jack Egers

• Steve Eminger
• Paul Evans
• Trevor Fahey
• Radek Faksa
• Sandy Fitzpatrick
• Dwight Foster
• Jody Gage
• John Gibson
• Gaston Gingras
• David Haas
• Matt Halischuk
• Kevin Henderson
• Paul Higgins
• Dan Hinton
• Paul Hoganson
• Mike Hough
• Dale Hunter
• Larry Huras
• Bob Hurlburt
• Robbie Irons
• Bob Jones
• Jim Jones
• Nazem Kadri
• Petr Kanko
• Gord Kannegiesser
• Sheldon Kannegiesser
• Jakub Kindl
• Jim Krulicki
• Gary Kurt
• Nick Kypreos
• Gabriel Landeskog
• Jeff Larmer
• Matt Lashoff
• David Latta
• Don Laurence
• Ray LeBlanc
• Randy Legge
• Henri Lehvonen
• Josh Leivo
• Chris LiPuma
• Don Luce
• Charlie Luksa

• Brett MacDonald
• Al MacInnis
• Dave Maloney
• Don Maloney
• Eric Manlow
• Grant Martin
• Steve Mason
• Dennis McCord
• Darwin McCutcheon
• Joe McDonnell
• Dave McLlwain
• Sean McMorrow
• Julian Melchiori
• Max Middendorf
• Tom Miller
• Mike Moher
• John Moore
• Jason Morgan
• Jeremy Morin
• Ryan Murphy
• Jim Nahrgang
• Cam Newton
• Claude Noel
• Joe Noris
• Gerry O'Flaherty
• Victor Oreskovich
• Bob Parent
• Jim Pavese
• Serge Payer
• Kent Paynter
• Andrew Peters
• Walt Poddubny
• Wayne Presley
• Shane Prince
• Matt Puempel
• Jake Rathwell
• Paul Reinhart
• Steven Rice
• Mike Richards
• Glen Richardson
• Doug Risebrough

• Larry Robinson
• Mike Robitaille
• Allan Rourke
• Derek Roy
• Darren Rumble
• Warren Rychel
• Gary Sabourin
• Jim Sandlak
• Ron Sedlbauer
• Dan Seguin
• Sean Shanahan
• David Shaw
• Doug Shedden
• Jeff Skinner
• Nick Spaling
• Mike Stevens
• Scott Stevens
• Shayne Stevenson
• Bill Stewart
• Peter Sturgeon
• Doug Sulliman
• Walt Tkaczuk
• Kirk Tomlinson
• Mike Torchia
• John Tucker
• Boris Valabik
• Philip Varone
• Todd Warriner
• Yannick Weber
• Rob Whistle
• Tony White
• Bob Whitlock
• Brian Wilks
• Craig Wolanin
• Bennett Wolf
• Jason York
• Wendell Young

1st rounders in NHL Entry Draft

• Bill Barber 1972 7th overall by Philadelphia
• Al Blanchard 1972 10th overall by the New York Rangers
• Jerry Byers 1972 12th overall by Minnesota
• Doug Risebrough 1974 7th overall by Montreal
• Rick Chartraw 1974 10th overall by Montreal
• Dave Maloney 1974 14th overall by the New York Rangers
• Dwight Foster 1977 16th overall by Boston
• Paul Reinhart 1979 12th overall by Atlanta
• Doug Sulliman 1979 13th overall by the New York Rangers
• Paul Coffey 1980 6th overall by Edmonton
• Al MacInnis 1981 15th overall by Calgary
• Brian Bellows 1982 2nd overall by Minnesota
• Scott Stevens 1982 5th overall by Washington
• David Shaw 1982 13th overall by Quebec
• Shawn Burr 1984 7th overall by Detroit
• Craig Wolanin 1985 3rd overall by New Jersey
• David Latta 1985 15th overall by Quebec
• Darren Rumble 1987 20th overall by Philadelphia
• Shayne Stevenson 1989 17th overall by Boston
• Steven Rice 1989 20th overall by the New York Rangers
• Boyd Devereaux 1996 6th overall by Edmonton
• Steve Eminger 2002 12th overall by Washington
• Mike Richards 2003 24th overall by Philadelphia
• Boris Valabik 2004 10th overall by Atlanta
• Jakub Kindl 2005 19th overall by Detroit
• Matt Lashoff 2005 22nd overall by Boston
• Mikkel Boedker 2008 8th overall by Phoenix
• Nazem Kadri 2009 5th overall by Toronto
• John Moore 2009 21st overall by Columbus
• Jeff Skinner 2010 7th overall by Carolina
• Gabriel Landeskog 2011 2nd overall by Colorado
• Ryan Murphy 2011 12th overall by Carolina
• Radek Faksa 2012 13th overall by Dallas

Team records

Team records for a single season
Statistic	Total	Season
Most points	110	2007–08
Most wins	53	2007–08
Most goals for	418	1983–84
Least goals for	142	1963–64
Least goals against	164	1966–67
Most goals against	425	1979–80

Individual player records for a single season
Statistic	Player	Total	Season
Most goals	Wayne Presley	63	1983–84
Most assists	Jason Akeson	84	2010–11
Most points	Dwight Foster	143	1976–77
Most points, rookie	Brian Bellows	116	1980–81
Most points, defenseman	Jason Gladney	92	1993–94
Best GAA, goalie	Dan Turple	2.25	2005–06
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played

List of Rangers' captains

Year	Captain
1963–64	Alexander Fitzpatrick
1964–65	Alexander Fitzpatrick
1965–66	John Beechey, Bob Jones, Billy Hway
1966–67	Walter Tkaczuk
1967–68	Walter Tkaczuk
1968–69	Cam Crosby
1969–70	Dave Cressman
1970–71	Ted Scharf
1971–72	Bill Barber
1972–73	Les Burgess
1973–74	Paul Evans
1974–75	Larry Huras, Dan Djakolovic, Dwight Foster
1975–76	Dwight Foster
1976–77	Dwight Foster
1977–78	Don Maloney
1978–79	Paul Reinhart
1979–80	Jim Pavese
1980–81	Joe McDonnell, Brian Bellows
1981–82	Brian Bellows
1982–83	Mike Eagles
1983–84	Jim Quinn
1984–85	Garnet McKechny, Kent Paynter
1985–86	Shawn Burr
1986–87	Dave Latta
1987–88	Kevin Grant
1988–89	Mike Montanari
1989–90	Steven Rice
1990–91	Steven Rice
1991–92	Mike Polano
1992–93	Mike Polano
1993–94	Tim Spitzig
1994–95	Trevor Gallant, Eric Manlow, Tim Spitzig
1995–96	Brian Scott, Ryan Pepperall
1996–97	Ryan Pepperall
1997–98	Jason Byrnes
1998–99	Darren Mortier
1999–00	Ryan Milanovic, Serge Payer
2000–01	Chris Cava
2001–02	Nick Policelli
2002–03	Derek Roy
2003–04	Mike Richards
2004–05	Mike Richards
2005–06	Mark Fraser
2006–07	Jean-Michel Rizk, Peter Tsmikalis
2007–08	Matt Pepe
2008–09	Ben Shutron, Dan Kelly*2009–10 Dan Kelly*2010–11 Gabriel Landeskog 2011–12 Michael Catenacci 2012-13 Ryan Murphy 2013-14 Ben Fanelli 2014-15 Liam Maaskant 2015-16 Ryan MacInnis

Yearly results

Regular season

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

Season	GP	W	L	T	OL	SL	Pts	Pct	GF	GA	Standing
1963–64	56	9	41	6	—	—	24	0.214	142	316	8th OHA
1964–65	56	19	32	5	—	—	43	0.384	225	284	6th OHA
1965–66	48	16	23	9	—	—	41	0.427	160	183	7th OHA
1966–67	48	28	12	8	—	—	64	0.667	213	164	1st OHA
1967–68	54	38	10	6	—	—	82	0.759	326	175	1st OHA
1968–69	54	9	40	5	—	—	23	0.213	155	310	10th OHA
1969–70	54	22	28	4	—	—	48	0.444	210	236	7th OHA
1970–71	62	26	32	4	—	—	56	0.452	267	283	6th OHA
1971–72	63	31	24	8	—	—	70	0.556	317	259	5th OHA
1972–73	63	16	41	6	—	—	38	0.302	244	368	8th OHA
1973–74	70	43	18	9	—	—	95	0.679	377	229	1st OHA
1974–75	70	17	47	6	—	—	40	0.286	239	351	11th OMJHL
1975–76	66	26	35	5	—	—	57	0.432	298	384	4th Emms
1976–77	66	26	32	8	—	—	60	0.455	320	380	4th Emms
1977–78	68	26	34	8	—	—	60	0.441	270	303	4th Emms
1978–79	68	29	35	4	—	—	62	0.456	316	356	4th Emms
1979–80	68	17	51	0	—	—	34	0.250	276	425	6th Emms
1980–81	68	34	33	1	—	—	69	0.507	321	320	1st Emms
1981–82	68	44	21	3	—	—	91	0.669	322	247	1st Emms
1982–83	70	45	23	2	—	—	92	0.657	393	292	2nd Emms
1983–84	70	52	16	2	—	—	106	0.757	418	276	1st Emms
1984–85	66	27	35	4	—	—	58	0.439	282	319	6th Emms
1985–86	66	35	27	4	—	—	86	0.561	330	240	3rd Emms
1986–87	66	32	31	3	—	—	67	0.508	293	305	4th Emms
1987–88	66	26	39	1	—	—	53	0.402	263	329	6th Emms
1988–89	66	41	19	6	—	—	88	0.667	318	251	1st Emms
1989–90	66	38	21	7	—	—	83	0.629	358	259	2nd Emms
1990–91	66	28	30	8	—	—	64	0.485	301	293	5th Emms
1991–92	66	29	30	7	—	—	65	0.492	283	282	4th Emms
1992–93	66	26	31	9	—	—	61	0.462	280	314	6th Emms
1993–94	66	32	30	4	—	—	68	0.515	286	316	6th Emms
1994–95	66	18	42	6	—	—	42	0.318	216	296	5th Central
1995–96	66	35	28	3	—	—	73	0.553	253	230	2nd Central
1996–97	66	34	22	10	—	—	78	0.591	274	235	1st Central
1997–98	66	27	29	10	—	—	64	0.485	224	239	3rd Central
1998–99	68	23	39	6	—	—	52	0.382	205	257	4th Midwest
1999–00	68	28	30	6	4	—	66	0.456	229	256	2nd Midwest
2000–01	68	26	36	6	0	—	58	0.426	218	247	5th Midwest
2001–02	68	35	22	10	1	—	81	0.588	257	190	3rd Midwest
2002–03	68	46	14	5	3	—	100	0.713	275	188	1st Midwest
2003–04	68	34	26	6	2	—	76	0.544	254	235	3rd Midwest
2004–05	68	35	20	9	4	—	83	0.581	235	187	3rd Midwest
2005–06	68	47	19	—	1	1	96	0.706	255	165	2nd Midwest
2006–07	68	47	17	—	1	3	98	0.721	262	187	2nd Midwest
2007–08	68	53	11	—	1	3	110	0.809	289	174	1st Midwest
2008–09	68	26	37	—	3	2	57	0.419	208	254	5th Midwest
2009–10	68	42	19	—	4	3	91	0.669	286	236	2nd Midwest
2010–11	68	38	21	—	4	5	85	0.625	256	217	2nd Midwest
2011–12	68	42	24	—	1	1	86	0.632	253	211	2nd Midwest
2012-13	68	39	20	-	1	8	87	0.640	216	185	3rd Midwest
2013-14	68	22	41	-	2	3	49	0.360	200	280	5th Midwest
2014-15	68	32	26	-	3	7	74	0.544	216	221	5th Midwest
2015-16	68	44	14	-	5	2	95	0.699	256	197	3rd Midwest
2016-17	68	36	27	-	3	2	77	0.566	244	251	4th Midwest
2017-18	68	43	21	-	3	1	90	0.662	246	218	1st Midwest
2018-19	68	34	30	-	3	1	72	0.529	251	267	3rd Midwest

Playoffs

• 1963–64 Out of playoffs.
• 1964–65 Out of playoffs.
• 1965–66 Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated Toronto Marlboros 9 points to 7 in semi-finals.
  Lost to Oshawa Generals 8 points to 2 in finals.
• 1966–67 Defeated St. Catharines Black Hawks 9 points to 3 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to Toronto Marlboros 9 points to 5 in semi-finals.
• 1967–68 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated Hamilton Red Wings 8 points to 4 in semi-finals.
  Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 9 points to 7 in finals.
• 1968–69 Out of playoffs.
• 1969–70 Lost to St. Catharines Black Hawks 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
• 1970–71 Lost to St. Catharines Black Hawks 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1971–72 Lost to Toronto Marlboros 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
• 1972–73 Lost to London Knights 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1973–74 Defeated Sudbury Wolves 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to Peterborough Petes 8 points to 4 in semi-finals.
• 1974–75 Out of playoffs.
• 1975–76 Defeated St. Catharines Blackhawks 6 points to 2 in first round.
  Lost to Hamilton Fincups 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1976–77 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 3 games to 0 in first round.
• 1977–78 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 6 points to 4 in first round.
  Lost to London Knights 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1978–79 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 6 points to 0 in first round.
  Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 8 points to 6 in quarter-finals.
• 1979–80 Out of playoffs.
• 1980–81 Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 9 points to 5 in division semi-finals.
  Defeated Windsor Spitfires 9 points to 1 in division finals.
  Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 9 points to 3 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in second place.
  Lost to Cornwall Royals 5-2 in final game.
• 1981–82 Earned first round bye. 1st place in Emms division.
  Defeated Windsor Spitfires 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 9 points to 3 in semi-finals.
  Defeated Ottawa 67's 9 points to 1 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in second place.
  Defeated Sherbrooke Castors 7-4 in final game. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
• 1982–83 Earned first round bye. 2nd place in Emms division.
  Defeated North Bay Centennials 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds 8 points to 2 in semi-finals.
• 1983–84 Earned first round bye. 1st place in OHL.
  Defeated London Knights 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 8 points to 6 in semi-finals.
  Lost to Ottawa 67's 8 points to 2 in finals.
  Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place.
  Lost to Ottawa 67's 7-2 in final game.
• 1984–85 Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds 8 points to 0 in first round.
• 1985–86 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 8 points to 2 in first round.
• 1986–87 Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1987–88 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in first round.
• 1988–89 Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 1 in first round.
• 1989–90 Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 1 in first round.
  Earned bye through quarter-finals as top-seeded team remaining.
  Defeated Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
  Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 3 in finals.
  Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in second place.
  Defeated Laval Titan 5-4 in semi-final game.
  Lost to Oshawa Generals 4-3 in double overtime in finals.
• 1990–91 Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 2 in first round.
• 1991–92 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in first round.
  Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals.
• 1992–93 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in first round.
• 1993–94 Lost to Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
• 1994–95 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
• 1995–96 Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 3 in division quarter-finals.
  Lost to Detroit Whalers 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals.
• 1996–97 Earned bye through division quarter-finals.
  Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in semi-finals.
• 1997–98 Lost to Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
• 1998–99 Out of playoffs. (Lost to Windsor Spitfires 2-1 in 8th place tie-breaker.)
• 1999–00 Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2000–01 Out of playoffs.
• 2001–02 Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2002–03 Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
  Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 3 in conference finals.
  Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place.
  Defeated Hull Olympiques 6-3 in championship game. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
• 2003–04 Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2004–05 Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to London Knights 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
• 2005–06 Lost to Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2006–07 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
• 2007–08 Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
  Defeated Belleville Bulls 4 games to 3 in Finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in third place.
  Defeated Belleville Bulls 9-0 in semi-final game.
  Lost to Spokane Chiefs 4-1 in final game.
• 2008–09 Out of playoffs.
• 2009–10 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated London Knights 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in conference finals.
• 2010–11 Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2011–12 Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference finals.
• 2012–13 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to London Knights 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
• 2013–14 Out of playoffs.
• 2014–15 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2015-16 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
• 2016-17 Lost to Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2017-18 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in conference final 4 games to 3
• 2018-19 Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to none in conference quarter-finals

Uniforms and logos

When the Rangers first appeared in Kitchener, their sweater design mimicked their NHL sponsor, the New York Rangers, with the Ranger letters set diagonally across the sweater. The Kitchener Rangers colours have always been blue, red and white.

In 1992 the Rangers incorporated a character into their uniform to boost souvenir sales. The initial design had a Texas Ranger riding a horse. In 1995 the logo was redesigned as a shield featuring the team mascot 'Tex'.

For the 2000–01 OHL season the Rangers reverted back to their classic style New York Rangers sweaters. In 2006 the Rangers unveiled a third jersey. [1] It displays horizontal red and blue bars on a white background with the Rangers shield shoulder patches.

Arena

The Kitchener Rangers play home games at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. The Auditorium was built in 1951 and underwent extensive renovations in 2002. In 2007/2008 over 500 seats were added to accommodate larger crowds for the 2008 Memorial Cup. The Complex includes Centennial Stadium for football (demolished spring 2013), Jack Couch Park for baseball, the Kiwanis and Kinsmen arenas and the main Auditorium arena.

• Capacity = 6,268 seats + 300 standing room = Total Capacity of 6,568
• Ice Size = 192' x 85'

The Auditorium hosted the Memorial Cup tournament in 1962, 1975, 1984 and 2008. The OHL All-Star Game was played there in 1980 & 1985 as well as the CHL Top Prospects Game in 2003.

• Kitchener Memorial Auditorium The OHL Arena & Travel Guide

External links

• Official website of the Kitchener Rangers
• Official website of the Ontario Hockey League
• Official website of the Canadian Hockey League